Tokyo's Coolest Sound

There seems to be no artist profile yet at Nippop. You can create one.

No upcoming gigs are listed at Tokyo Gig Guide.

1. April Set "Fairground"
   April Set, the solo project of DJ Suzuki Masanori, has a new full-length album coming this week, containing both covers and original songs with bossa, house, jazz and disco sounds. Featured are vocalists Necozawa Emi, Okawara Izumi (Qypthone), Pecombo, Suzuki...
   Posted on April 24, 2011 at 23:39

1. lyrical school "Parade"
   This is the new single by lyrical school, rap idol unit produced by tofubeats. "Parade" marks the welcoming of new member Hina. Also included is a self-cover of theme song "tengal6" (the former name of lyrical school) in a new...
   Posted on May 17, 2013 at 00:07
2. Joy Ride vol.133: soyuz project, CTO LAB., NeoBallad
   Text and photos by Patrick Benny for Tokyo's Coolest Sound On Friday April 19 was the 133rd edition (!) of electro-themed event series "Joy Ride" that started in 2006. That's an average of 2+ events per month! I went to...
   Posted on April 25, 2013 at 23:18
3. Kyary Pamyu Pamyu in New York
   Text and photo by Nicholas D. Kent (Japanese Electronic Music) for Tokyo's Coolest Sound Here's a report of Kyary Pamyu Pamyu's latest show, held last weekend in New York. Big thanks to correspondent Nicholas D. Kent. Read on! Kyary Pamyu...
   Posted on April 20, 2013 at 14:22
4. Takako Minekawa & Dustin Wong "Toropical Circle"
   What a surprise! Takako Minekawa is back with a new album, and that as a new unit with Dustin Wong (ex-Ponytail)! It has been 13 years since Takako's previous release, "Maxi On" (2000, Amazon U.S.) (a collaboration with New York...
   Posted on March 26, 2013 at 20:43
5. Emi Necozawa & Sphinx "EP" (12")
   Following last year's "Pyramidia" album, here comes a 12" cut of songs by Necozawa Emi's jazz group. Included is a remix by Miura Makoto (on whose latest album Emi contributed narration), and two 12" mixes of some of the best...
   Posted on February 17, 2013 at 13:06
6. Tarte Tatin "irideppō ni deonna - tofubeats EDO remix" (7")
   Cute indie girl pop duo Tarte Tatin (produced by members of Sōtaiseiriron) have a new 7" coming, of a remix by Tofubeats. Audio samples can be heard at Jet Set. The original song is from their first album "Tetrad" (2012,...
   Posted on February 11, 2013 at 22:41
7. Kirinji "Super View"
   Kirinji have a 9th album titled "Super View" out now! The limited edition comes with a bonus DVD of 4 video clips. Then there's good and bad news... The bad news is that the younger of the two brothers, Horigome...
   Posted on November 15, 2012 at 22:38
8. Perfume "Perfume 3rd Tour 'JPN'" (DVD)
   Perfume have a new DVD coming of their latest tour for album "JPN". This DVD consists of the show in their hometown of Hiroshima held on April 1st this year. 21 songs are included! At this time, online shops are...
   Posted on July 8, 2012 at 12:27
9. mishmash* Julie Watai "Veiled by Reverb" (Download)
   Following "Roll of Love" released in April, here's a 2nd song from mishmash*, unit of Cornelius' programmer Mishima Toyoaki (blog), feat. Julie Watai. Like last time, the song has being released in both Japanese and English versions. The full-length music...
   Posted on June 14, 2012 at 22:14
10. Tokyo eleport 006: The Aprils, Candles, Cutie Pai, ExceNtRip
    Text and photos by Patrick Benny for Tokyo's Coolest Sound On April 12 was the 6th event of the "Tokyo eleport" series organized by indies techno-pop unit Candles. It was held at Shibuya Star lounge, a quite nice venue I...
    Posted on April 14, 2012 at 17:05
11. Emi Necozawa & Sphinx "Pyramidia"
    It's been 10 years since singer and percussionist Necozawa Emi's previous album ("café tu ronronnes" (2002)). This time she is backed by a jazzy band of 6 musicians making this her first band recording. Songs include covers of Serge Gainsbourg...
    Posted on March 8, 2012 at 21:05
12. Portable Rock "Lost & Found"
    Portable Rock, the 80's band fronted by Nomiya Maki, has a new CD coming! This contains 2 songs that had remained unreleased back in the day, one of which surfaced on Maki's 30th anniversary album "30". Both songs have lyrics...
    Posted on March 4, 2012 at 18:39
13. Farm Party #6: Abikyokan, Hosaka Akane, Young Fratellis, N'toko
    Text and photos by Patrick Benny for Tokyo's Coolest Sound On Friday April 22 was a fun event held at Asagaya GaMuSo, of the Farm Party series organized by the great Tokyo Gig Guide. Started just last year, it was...
    Posted on April 29, 2011 at 11:49
14. Beastie Boys "Hot Sauce Committee Part 2 (Japanese edition)"
    The Japanese edition of the Beastie Boys' new album comes with a bonus remix by... Cornelius! It will also be out a week early on April 27. The remix is of "Make Some Noise" of which the original can currently...
    Posted on April 7, 2011 at 23:12
15. Various Artists "Nagisa ongaku-sai presents In The Mix mixed by Tomoyuki Tanaka (FPM)"
    Tanaka Tomoyuki aka FPM has a new mix CD out today, put together for beach rave event Nagisa Music Festival where he will be DJing. The event is to be held in Tokyo on April 10 and in Osaka on...
    Posted on March 23, 2011 at 22:42
16. Sunahara Yoshinori "liminal"
    That's it! Finally a 5th album by Sunahara Yoshinori! Following last year's EP "subliminal", this one is called... "liminal"! Can you believe it's been 10 years since his previous full-length album, "Lovebeat"? The limited edition comes with a DVD with...
    Posted on March 2, 2011 at 23:19
17. Original Love "Red Curtain ~Original Love early days~"
    Before Original Love, there was The Red Curtain, which released an album titled "Original Love" in 1986. Here all 8 songs are re-issued for the first time, together with 9 songs from a live show of the same year, plus...
    Posted on February 21, 2011 at 21:52
18. Aira Mitsuki "???" tour final
    Text by Patrick Benny for Tokyo's Coolest Sound Last Sunday I had the chance to catch Aira Mitsuki's last stop of her tour for the release of latest album "???". The show was held at Ebisu LiquidRoom on January 30....
    Posted on February 6, 2011 at 22:56
19. 80kidz "Weekend Warrior"
    Melodic electro unit 80kidz's 2nd full length album upon us. This is a follow-up to "This Is My Shit" (April 2009), since which they've also released download-only EP "Voice" and single "Spoiled Boy" . Jet Set offers a "Blackbox Test"...
    Posted on October 17, 2010 at 19:43
20. Ino Hidefumi "Kaleidoscopic"
    Ino Hidefumi (MySpace) has a live album coming next week, of the final show of his tour for album "Inocology". Held at Shibuya Club Quattro on April 10, the show featured his songs in different arrangements, and also some new...
    Posted on October 9, 2010 at 22:01
21. Fabulous Soundscape vol.2
    Text by Ken M (Japan Live), photos by Takanashi Haruno Time-traveling back to the not-too-distant past again, I went to a great event organized by Mr. Henachoko at a venue called Bar Coredo in Nogizaka, featuring the leading lights of...
    Posted on May 22, 2010 at 20:38
22. Nagisa Yoko Recital 2010
    Text by Patrick Benny for Tokyo's Coolest Sound On Monday April 26 was Nagisa Yōko's recital at Shibuya Quattro, an event to celebrate the issue of her new 400-page photo book titled "NAGISA" . The show featured a full band,...
    Posted on May 4, 2010 at 18:55
23. HNC Release Party "Cult Club"
    Text and photos by Patrick Benny for Tokyo's Coolest Sound Friday April 30 was the overdue release party for HNC's album "Cult" released last December. HNC used to be known as Hazel Nuts Chocolate, the solo project of a girl...
    Posted on May 2, 2010 at 14:50
24. marino "lollipop+"
    Indies techno-pop singer marino's first mini-album "lollipop" (2006) is being re-issued because it sold out and has gone rare since. The new release includes all 5 original songs produced by Nakata Yasutaka (capsule) and Hayashibe Tomonori (Plus-Tech Squeeze Box), plus...
    Posted on February 26, 2009 at 21:48
25. The Fairbanks "Love Again" (12")
    The Fairbanks, aka Suzuki Masanori (April Set, regular DJ at Organ b.), brings us a new remix 12" that's sure to keep Tokyo's dancefloors moving. "Love Again" is Swedish female jazz singer Meta Roos' "Here We Are Falling In Love...
    Posted on July 21, 2008 at 01:23
26. Various Artists "JANT."
    Featured are mostly previously released songs by Nomoto Karia, Qypthone, Nakatsuka Takeshi, Groove Unchant (new track), April Set, Le3, Bond Expo '60 feat. Pecombo, and more. Various Artists "JANT." 1. Bougain Ville-A / kimi to Drive 2. Bond Expo '60...
    Posted on June 23, 2008 at 13:26
27. Various Artists "House Connection ...", "Jazz Connection ~around the shibuya corner~ presented by cafe&diner Studio"
    Two compilations related to cafe&diner Studio, a Shibuya café where are held DJ and live events, will feature a bunch of great artists from the club scene, grouped under "house" and "jazz" themes. Featured are akakage, Fujisawa Shiho, Sunaga t...
    Posted on May 14, 2008 at 14:49
28. Hosono Haruomi & The World Shyness "08.04.22 @ Billboard Live TYO"
    2 songs from the recent April 22 show that Harry Hosono & The World Shyness gave at Billboard Live Tokyo have been made available on iTunes Music Store Japan. Both songs are self-covers of Hosono works. The band features Hosono...
    Posted on May 9, 2008 at 11:21
29. Neo-Shibuya-kei web site and free download compilations
    April 28 is Shibuya day (4=shi, 2=bu, 8=ya), and to celebrate, a neo-Shibuya-kei information web site has opened! The content is all in Japanese, but still you can find lots of links to artists who fall under the category. That's...
    Posted on April 30, 2008 at 10:52
30. Tokyo Mood Punks "Jamie"
    A new band fronted by Lily Franky, named Tokyo Mood Punks, and featuring Matsuda "Chabe" Gakuji (Cubismo Grafico) on percussion and keyboards, has a first single out now. The other members are Tomizawa Taku a.k.a chikoku (Group Tamashii) on guitar,...
    Posted on April 23, 2008 at 16:33
31. Kinbara Chieko "Velvet Night ~ Pray For Strings"
    Kinbara Chieko is back this year with two new albums, "Sweetest Day ~ Romance For Strings" in April and this night-themed second one in May. This album features collaborations with Jeff Mills, Inoue Kaoru (Chari Chari) and Ananda Project, and...
    Posted on April 16, 2008 at 17:08
32. Music Jacket Gallery 2008 + Shindō Mitsuo "fukuwauchi" exhibition
    Entertainment Package Award presents a free exhibition of record jackets, currently touring other cities and stopping by Tokyo from April 9. Only in Tokyo is also shown a calligraphy exhibition by graphic designer Shindō Mitsuo (C.T.P.P), part of which will...
    Posted on April 2, 2008 at 13:37
33. Anime Soundtrack "hakaba Kitarō"
    The original soundtrack for anime "hakaba Kitarō" (Graveyard Kitarō), featuring characters of "gegege no Kitarō", is coming out. It contains TV versions of the Denki Groove songs "Mononoke Dance" and "Yūrakuchō de tokemashō", both out recently on a single of...
    Posted on February 18, 2008 at 14:38
34. Fujisawa Shiho "Colorful na kimochi E.P." (12")
    Fujisawa Shiho is a female DJ and trackmaker having previously contributed to Nakatsuka Takeshi's "Groovy Sauce" series, and who is resident DJ at Organ b.'s "Bistro Jazz" party. This time she has a new 12" EP coming up next week,...
    Posted on February 8, 2008 at 22:23
35. Kinbara Chieko "Shadow" (12")
    Club-style violinist Kinbara Chieko, who has a 5th album(!) coming up in April, first brings us this single of a new song produced by Eric Kupper (MySpace). The B-side is a Sugiurumn remix previously released on remix album "Summer Love"....
    Posted on February 4, 2008 at 14:34
36. The Fairbanks "Saturday Night In Rio De Janeiro / Saturday Night In Brazil" (12")
    The Fairbanks, the solo unit of Suzuki Masanori (April Set, regular DJ at Organ b.), has a new 12" coming up. This time he mashes-up Ozomatli's "Saturday Night" with each of Steve & Eydie's "Rio De Janeiro" and Geoff &...
    Posted on January 26, 2008 at 10:33
37. Perfume "Game"
    Perfume, currently quite the big thing in techno-pop in Japan, have finally a brand new album coming in April, and this one is completely produced by Nakata Yasutaka (capsule)! Included are 7 brand new songs in addition of 5 previously...
    Posted on January 23, 2008 at 16:53
38. Nomiya Maki Recital vol.2 ~Eleganceholic~
    Nomiya Maki's 2nd recital is coming this spring, and it's titled "Eleganceholic"! The Japanese title is "Elegance chūdoku" which translates to "Elegance poisoning". This time the musical director is Kikuchi Naruyoshi (Spank Happy, DCPRG), and like last year the stage...
    Posted on January 16, 2008 at 15:04
39. DJ Sora-Mimi "Groove Party"
    DJ Sora-Mimi, a new-comer of the scene who recently released a first 7" and also participated to the "Christmas Will Be Just Another Day" 12" compilation, has a first mix CD out now! 32 tracks of soft rock, groovy pops,...
    Posted on December 28, 2007 at 11:08
40. Nomiya Maki "Eleganceholic"
    Nomiya Maki has a special Tower Records-only release coming in February 2008! The Japanese title translates to "Elegance poisoning" and it looks like the English title is going to be "Eleganceholic", it's also the title of her upcoming 2nd recital...
    Posted on December 18, 2007 at 17:25
41. Chimidoro "minna no uta"
    Chimidoro, fine indies electro rap unit on the Tokyo Fun Party label, has a first full-length album out now! "minna no uta" ("Everybody's song") invites you to dance and sing along. On the shelves next to Digiki's long awaited (and...
    Posted on April 25, 2007 at 12:04
42. TV soundtrack "kui tan 2"
    "kui tan 2", successor to the popular food detective TV series, will start airing on April 14. Once again its soundtrack consists of classical music remixed by Konishi Yasuharu! kui tan 2 airs on NTV every Saturday from 21:00, starting...
    Posted on April 9, 2007 at 10:24
43. TV soundtrack "Liar Game"
    This soundtrack to new manga-based TV drama "Liar Game" (Fuji TV), about to start on April 14, is produced by Nakata Yasutaka (capsule) and will be released on his label contemode in May. "Liar Game" airs on Fuji TV every...
    Posted on April 2, 2007 at 17:48
44. Ino Hidefumi "The Force of Exotic"
    Fender Rhodes player Ino Hidefumi has a new mini-album coming soon, in a collaboration with Tower Records. The 4-song CD will consists only of songs written by himself, who until now had only released covers. Ino Hidefumi will play a...
    Posted on April 1, 2007 at 11:36
45. Agawa Yasuko "Tatsuo Sunaga digs best of Yasuko Agawa"
    Yet more Sunaga Tatsuo goodness, this time a selection of his favorite songs from jazz vocalist Agawa Yasuko's vast repertory, which counts over 300. Also out on the same day is a remix album titled "Re-Mode", also produced by Sunaga-san....
    Posted on March 27, 2007 at 16:26
46. Pecombo "Serendipity"
    Tokyo scat chorus group Pecombo has a 2nd album just out, featuring a long list of guests that includes (of those I know) The Fascinations and accordionist Tanooka Saburō (of sabou et mamie). Pecombo will perform for free at Tower...
    Posted on March 22, 2007 at 17:42
47. Digiki "Beat Vacation"
    Digiki, French ambassador of desktop music in Tokyo (and resident DJ of the overly-packed regular event Juliana), has a first decently released album (if I may) coming up on new indies label Tokyo Fun Party. Must! check! Digiki can be...
    Posted on March 19, 2007 at 15:07
48. Caede "The Queen Of..."
    Finally, after a long wait, the first album by model Caede will be out this April on Escalator Records! Like her first single "Maple Soap" and her other appearances on compilations ("Ciclismo 2", "Garage Land", "Garage Bandits"), this album is...
    Posted on February 27, 2007 at 10:41
49. Various Artists "Blue Cafe"
    DJs of Organ b.'s "Blue Cafe", regular event, led by Suzuki Masanori (April Set / Premium Cuts), have put down their best tracks for a compilation of the same name. The event recently celebrated its 7th anniversary. Sunaga Tatsuo, former...
    Posted on October 23, 2006 at 17:43
50. Various Artists "Sunaga Tatsuo no yoru Jazz: Jazz Allnighters No.6"
    It's Sunaga time, hang tight! First of all, a 6th installment of successful jazz compilation series "Jazz Allnighters" is coming up. This one will feature material from RCA, mostly 60's European jazz. Various Artists "Sunaga Tatsuo no yoru Jazz: Jazz...
    Posted on September 11, 2006 at 17:32
51. Update: Pizzicato Five, Sunaga t̀ Experience
    Pizzicato Five "pizzicato five we dig you" Artwork added! Sunaga t̀ Experience "European Suite EP" Track list added (all album tracks). Released pushed back to last week of April....
    Posted on April 23, 2006 at 19:25
52. Kinbara Chieko "Strings of Life"
    Violonist Kinbara Chieko, who has many ties within Japan's club and Shibuya-kei scenes, will have a 4th solo album released this May on Ide Yasushi's Grand Gallery label. She says that the whole album will be house! The album will...
    Posted on April 12, 2006 at 16:16
53. Ayuse Kozue "boyfriend"
    Still on the Tei Towa side, he's produced the first single of 21-year old Ayuse Kozue, new singer-songwriter of Japan's club scene. This is the first since of a series of three, to be released one per month, though only...
    Posted on April 10, 2006 at 11:47
54. Update: FPM, Kinbara Chieko
    Fantastic Plastic Machine "Imaginations" (12") Artwork added Kinbara Chieko "Strings of Life" / "Time To Love" / "If You Only" (12") Two more 12" singles added here. I'd expect them all to come out at once at the end of...
    Posted on March 28, 2006 at 11:18
55. "komaneko - hajime no ippo" (DVD)
    The very cute stop-animation 5 minute film "komaneko - hajime no ippo" (I had talked about it before on my main blog), about a cat recursively making puppets and shooting a stop-animation flick using those, is coming out on DVD...
    Posted on March 13, 2006 at 23:26
56. Cornelius "toner" (Sound & Recording magazine)
    To celebrate its issue #300, magazine Sound & Recording will include a bonus DVD containing a video directed by Takagi Masakatsu for brand new Cornelius song "toner"! Sound & Recording April 2006 (No.300) Includes bonus DVD of Cornelius song "toner"...
    Posted on March 8, 2006 at 12:26
57. Kinbara Chieko "Strings of Life" / "Time To Love" / "If You Only" (12")
    Kinbara Chieko is back with a 4th album this May, but first come these 12" singles. "Strings of Life" is a Derrick May cover, "Time To Love" is produced by Blaze (who collaborated with Kinbara Chieko before on the song...
    Posted on February 22, 2006 at 16:30
58. capsule "Jelly" (12")
    A new capsule vinyl-only single containing an extended mix of "jelly", song previously released on iTMS and which hit #1 in the electronic music chart, will be out in April. The B-side has two more brand new tracks. All or...
    Posted on February 21, 2006 at 19:26
59. Portable Rock live
    Believe it or not, Portable Rock, Nomiya Maki's mid-80's band, is back on stage once this April! Also playing are the Moonriders. Shinjuku Loft 30th Anniversary "Rock of Ages 2006" on 4/15 at Shinjuku Loft Live: Portable Rock Moonriders Cinema...
    Posted on February 16, 2006 at 23:19
60. InK first live at Liquid Room
    Ishino Takkyu (Denki Groove) has a new unit together with Kawanabe Hiroshi of Tokyo No.1 Soul Set. The unit is called InK (Ishino 'n' Kawanabe) and a first live show has been scheduled. There's an album scheduled for release on...
    Posted on February 6, 2006 at 15:50
61. "Trainsurfer 1" (DVD)
    By the same director as Steam kakarichō, Nakao Hiroyuki, comes Trainsurfer, another fun CG shorts series featuring real people. This one puts its guests in situations on top of Tokyo trains! The show aired on MTV Japan has featured the...
    Posted on December 26, 2005 at 22:25
62. Halfby "Green Hours"
    Second Royal's Halfby has a first full album (as long as you consider "Half Works" as a mini album) coming soon! It includes 3 songs from the 12" "Rodeo Machine" released in April. Also check out the just out soundtrack...
    Posted on August 26, 2005 at 16:07
63. Rei Harakami "Lust"
    I'm not yet familiar with Rei Harakami, but I'll have to check out this 4th album of his, on the shelves today. Konishi Yasuharu recommended this artist, I think saying it's currently the best techno pop, to friend Per at...
    Posted on May 24, 2005 at 11:16
64. Denki Groove × Scha Dara Parr "Twilight"
    It may be April's Fool but I promise this ain't no joke! Denki Groove has teamed up with Scha Dara Parr for this single and even an upcoming album! This will surely kick serious ass! Update (2005/4/25 14:00): The single...
    Posted on March 31, 2005 at 13:45
65. Cityboys "20th Century Cityboys" (2CD)
    Almost missed this one... This is a 2CD selection of songs from various City Boys soundtracks from 1992 until 2000 (covering at least "Toilet Without Key", "i messaggeri degli imbecilli vanno all'ovest", "Love's Rubber Brain", "Building on a Strong Foundation",...
    Posted on March 16, 2005 at 12:01
66. Tei Towa "Flash"
    Tei Towa's new album will be here in April! The album will feature a bunch of guest artists such as Sakamoto Ryūichi, Nomiya Maki, Tycoon To$h (Nakanishi Toshio (Plastics, [Water] Melon,...)), Buffalo Daughter, Arto Lindsay, Moritaka Chisato, Kylie Minogue, Byron...
    Posted on January 14, 2005 at 13:15
67. Sunaga Tatsuo "World Standard.04 -A Tatsuo Sunaga Live Mix-" (CCCD)
    Record banchō Sunaga Tatsuo (Sunaga t̀ Experience) is back with a new live mix album, 4th of his "World Standard" series. Sunaga Tatsuo "World Standard.04 -A Tatsuo Sunaga Live Mix-" (CCCD) 須永辰緒 「World Standard.04」 Track list 1. TNBC nihongo hōsōkyoku...
    Posted on August 24, 2004 at 17:06